Michał Pawlęga MEd, PsyT, PGD Sexology

Experience

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  Lambda Warszawa

  May 2000 - Jun 2016

  As Equal Treatment Team Manager, I was responsible for overall supervision and management of all activities to lower the discrimination of LGBTI people and support provision for its victims. My duties included:• Team Leadership: Leading diverse project teams, managing volunteers, and providing ongoing relevant mentoring and training for the team members.• Program Management: Oversight of equal treatment project portfolio management, including ensuring the effectiveness and quality of their implementation• Training Delivery: Conducting comprehensive training on equal treatment and non-discrimination for various stakeholders, such as counsellors, medical teams, decision-makers and teachers.• Collaboration and Representation: Enhancing partnerships with regional and national programmatic partners, representing the organization within different engagements and partnerships.• Comprehensive Service Delivery: Oversawing service provision, including crisis support, referrals, case management, and launching the first Intervention Shelter for LGBTI individuals in Poland.Main achievements:• Advocacy Success: I effectively lobbied for the inclusion of policies on equal treatment based on sexual orientation in the City of Warsaw's policies.• Pioneering Safe Haven: I established and oversaw the first Intervention Shelter in Poland for LGBTI individuals facing violence and homelessness. The shelter continues to provide support today. Show less As Health Team Manager, I oversaw a dynamic health team, focusing on outreach, harm reduction, and addiction prevention. My responsibilities included:• Team Leadership: Leading and supporting a dynamic health team, overseeing outreach, harm reduction, and addiction prevention.• Training and Mentoring: Conducting comprehensive trainings on MSM mental health and outreach approach implementation for stakeholders, specialists, as well as project staff and volunteers.• Project Management: Managing LGBTI health-related project portfolio from start to finish, including strategy development, budgeting, grantmaking, fundraising, and reporting.• Community Outreach: Engaging in community outreach focusing on populations vulnerable to HIV, applying a harm reduction approach.• Crisis Counseling and Social Work: Providing individual crisis support and referrals, empowering clients to overcome challenges.Main achievement: I ensured access to vital outreach sexual health and harm reduction services for Warsaw (Poland) MSM and populations, reaching around 40% of their members in diverse locations.Lambda Warszawa is a grassroots civil society organization supporting and providing a space for developing a positive LGBTQI+ identity in Poland since 1997. It offers independent, professional, and expert crisis support services. Show less

  • Board Member, Equal treatment team manager

    Jan 2012 - Jun 2016

  • Board Member, Health team manager

    May 2000 - Dec 2011
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  Samozatrudnienie

  Jun 2006 - Jan 2020

  Sole Proprietorship

  During my business activity, I developed a skill set related to project management, fundraising and providing high-quality, experience-based trainings. My main tasks included:• Needs Assessment: Conducted thorough needs assessments to identify and address the specific needs of the target populations benefiting from grant-funded projects.• Project Development and Grant Application: I built, adjusted, and implemented projects tailored to the requirements of various grantors, including EU structural funds, international funds, and governmental programs. This involved the development of comprehensive application documents, such as business plans, feasibility studies, and application forms.• Project Management Support: Provided critical support in setting project implementation plans and ensured the ongoing, effective management of grant-funded projects. This included monitoring progress, identifying and addressing issues, and coordinating with diverse stakeholders.• Training Delivery: I delivered specialized trainings on fundraising and project management to equip individuals and organizations with the skills and knowledge required to secure funding and manage projects effectively.Main achievement: I secured 21+ million EUR through 100+ successful project grant applications financed by government authorities, international organizations, and private companies. Show less

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  National Institute of Public Health – National Institute of Hygiene (NIPH - NIH)

  Nov 2012 - Dec 2019

  Medical Researcher

  In my role as a researcher in social science, I actively took part in research and capacity-building projects, both nationally and internationally, including the following tasks:• Research Projects Management: contribution to various bio-behavioural research initiatives, including studies on chemsex, infectious diseases, and the access to health of vulnerable populations, by project planning, data collection and analysis process.• Knowledge and Skills Dissemination: creating and testing training materials, providing ToT and training sessions for healthcare workers.Main achievement: I have successfully developed the NIPH - NIH links with hard-to-reach communities, including those most at risk of HIV (IDUs, MSM/LGBTIs, and chemsex users). This has facilitated the implementation of biobehavioral research, thereby enhancing the availability of strategic data crucial for planning an effective response to the HIV epidemic in Poland.NIPH - NIH is a national research institute dealing with hygiene, epidemiology, bacteriology, immunology, and parasitology. It carries out scientific and service-research work for government institutions, the European Commission, research institutes and private entities. The results of the research conducted are largely used to identify the health needs of the population and to develop health programmes. Show less

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  Social AIDS Committee

  Jan 2017 - Jan 2020

  In my role as an HIV & HCV VCT Consultant, I provided vital services to populations vulnerable to HIV, both in the testing centre and in outreach, including:• Needs Assessment: Conduct comprehensive needs assessments during HIV, HCV and STI pre-and post-test counselling.• Crisis Counseling: Offering support to those with positive test results and individuals in crises (sexual abuse, job-related HIV exposure) and referrals to other required professional services• Community Outreach: Managing and conducting HIV, HCV and STI testing in outreach locations.• Case Management: ensuring clients get required care and support focused on their linkage to required medical services. Show less As a Health Lead, I was responsible for the ongoing management of the programs, ensuring their proper implementation and maintaining an appropriately motivated and well-cooperating implementing team. My duties included:• Leadership and Program Management: recruiting and managing a diverse team implementing health programs, ensuring effectiveness and quality of projects implementation.• Training and Skill Development: Providing mentoring and comprehensive training to equip team members with essential health promotion and counselling-related skills.• Fundraising and Budgeting: Securing funding by networking with donors and developing grant applications.• Harm Reduction and Community Outreach: Actively participating in harm reduction outreach for drug use and safer sex among populations vulnerable to HIV, especially MSM.• Collaboration and Representation: Active engagement in local and national advocacy bodies related to HIV/AIDS and representing Poland in the EU HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis, and Tuberculosis Civil Society Forum.Main achievements:• I successfully established and managed Poland's first community-led, comprehensive harm reduction and crisis support program for MSM and other groups vulnerable to HIV, integrating chemsex, sexual disorders, and HIV response. In total, I assisted 140 individuals, with 28% of them maintaining the effects of treatment after a year.• By implementing strategic outreach efforts, I expanded testing services, leading to a 17% increase in the testing of vulnerable populations for HIV. This approach also ensured 82% linkage to the care rate.The Social AIDS Committee (SKA) is dedicated to developing access to information, education, counselling and care in response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic, reducing its individual and social impact. Show less

  • HIV& HCV voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) consultant

    Nov 2017 - Jan 2020

  • Health lead

    Jan 2017 - Jan 2020
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  European Commission

  Mar 2018 - Dec 2019

  Member - Polish representative in EU HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis and Tuberculosis Civil Society Forum
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  Społeczny Komitet ds. AIDS

  Jul 2018 - Jan 2020

  Therapist - Crisis Intervention, Sex, and Addiction Counseling

  As a Crisis Intervention, Sex, and Addiction Counseling Therapist, I've provided culturally adjusted support for people from underserved populations vulnerable to HIV. My responsibilities have included:• Crisis Counseling: Delivering effective crisis intervention to individuals in high-stress situations related to their new HIV diagnosis or the diagnosis of their relatives, ensuring their emotional well-being.• Addiction Counseling: Offering individual and group guidance and support to those facing substance misuse, focusing on chemsex and losing control of sexual behaviour. I employed evidence-based methods to assist individuals on their journey to change.• Case Management: Developing, implementing, and evaluating case management procedures, prioritizing linkage to care for clients with complex needs.• Individual and Group Counseling: Conducting tailored individual and group counselling sessions in a safe and inclusive environment, empowering clients to address their challenges and work towards personal growth and recovery. Show less

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  Michal Pawlega - therapy, counselling, training

  Feb 2020 - now

  CBT therapist and sex therapist

  I accrue substantial experience in providing psychosocial support for various groups of clients from vulnerable populations, mainly with migrant backgrounds, including:• Psychosocial Support: Providing crisis support, psychotherapeutic consultations, individual and group therapy, both online and in-person. My experience covers a wide range of disorders, including personality disorders, anxiety disorders, mood disorders, behavioural disorders, sexual disorders, and addictions. I diligently follow guidelines established by The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), demonstrating a strong foundation in evidence-based practices for mental health support.• Clinical Diagnosis: mental health needs assessment and emotional and mental disorders diagnosing following the standards set by the Polish Association for Cognitive and Behavioral Therapy and ICD-10.• Knowledge dissemination: delivering training programs for volunteers and professionals on the skills and knowledge required to support individuals in crisis and people (mis)using chemical substances• Coaching and guidance: providing clinical supervision and support to individuals (volunteers and non-professionals) assisting people in crisis.Main achievements:• I have provided therapeutic and crisis counselling to nearly 100 people of Polish descent living in the Netherlands, helping them cope with emotional and sexual difficulties since 2021.• I successfully decreased volunteer turnover in supervised programs from 37% to 19% annually.I work under the guidance of certified clinical supervisors: Prof. Maria Beisert, Poland (PsyD, PsyT, Certified Sex Therapist, Clin Superv), Dr. Artur Kołakowski, Poland (PhD, MD, PsyT, Clin Superv), Łukasz Müldner-Nieckowski, Poland (PhD, PsyD, PsyT, Certified Sex Therapist, Clin Superv) and Dominic Davis, United Kingdom (PsyT, Certified Sex Therapist, GSRD Expert, Clin Superv). Show less

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  AIDS Healthcare Foundation

  Feb 2020 - Mar 2022

  Prevention and Testing Manager

  As prevention and testing manager, I was responsible for overseeing a comprehensive sexual health promotion and HIV prevention programme for vulnerable populations in Europe, focusing on:• Program Implementation: Ensuring the program's compliance with quality standards, including sexual education, mental health promotion, and HIV rapid testing.• Case Management: Developing, implementing, and evaluating case management procedures, emphasizing linkage to care.• Knowledge dissemination and coaching: Promoting consistency in programme delivery standards through horizontal learning and overseeing the implementation of HIV testing and SRHR educational models.• Strategic Planning: Active involvement in strategic planning and budgeting, enhancing strategic thinking.• Advocacy and education: Support in organising mass HIV testing events, educational events and advocacy programmes.Main achievement: I successfully managed Europe's largest outreach sexual health and HIV prevention program, delivering 300K+ consultations combined with HIV testing in an annum and detecting 15K HIV cases, with 88% linked to care.AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) is a global nonprofit delivering cutting-edge medicine and advocacy to over 1 million individuals in 45 countries, including 9 in Europe. It is the world's largest HIV/AIDS medical care provider, extending its reach in healthcare and policy influence to save lives. Show less

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  AFEW International

  Apr 2022 - Apr 2024

  My role at AFEW International was related to networking, multicultural sensitivity, needs assessment, project building, and management, leading to the organization's funding stability. It included:• Fundraising Expertise: Providing leadership on securing funding for projects in Eastern Europe and Central Asia (Armenia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Ukraine, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan) from diverse sources, including the European Commission, national governments, private foundations, and businesses.• Advocacy and Awareness: Developing advocacy strategies to promote health and human rights access for vulnerable populations.• Crisis Response: Co-design and supervision of the urgent comprehensive social services for vulnerable individuals affected by the war in Ukraine• Collaboration and Representation: Enhancing partnerships with regional and national programmatic partners across countries, representing the organization within different engagements and partnerships.• Strategic Planning: Contributing to strategic planning to achieve organizational goals, mission, and vision.Main achievement: I successfully broadened the organization's portfolio by adding 15 new partners (international scientific and NGO networks, national and local grassroots organizations in the EECA region), resulting in the establishment of programmatic frameworks for an annual 0.5 million EUR in financing for collaborative advocacy and knowledge exchange initiatives.AFEW International is an international network of civil society organisations dedicated to improving the health of key populations. Focusing on Eastern Europe and Central Asia (EECA), it strives to provide support and a strong international voice on rights and health access to underserved populations in the EECA Region. Show less My role in the organization was related to networking, multicultural sensitive needs assessment, project building and management, leading to ensuring required funding stability. It included:• Fundraising Expertise: Providing leadership on securing funding for projects in Eastern Europe and Central Asia (Armenia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Ukraine, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan) from diverse sources, including the European Commission, national governments, private foundations, and businesses.• Advocacy and Awareness: Developing advocacy strategies to promote health and human rights access for vulnerable populations.• Crisis Response: Co-designing and supervising urgent comprehensive social services for vulnerable individuals affected by the war in Ukraine• Collaboration and Representation: Enhancing partnerships with regional and national programmatic partners across countries, representing the organization within different engagements and partnerships.• Strategic Planning: Contributing to strategic planning to achieve organizational goals, mission, and vision.AFEW International is an international network of civil society organisations dedicated to improving key populations' health. With a focus on Eastern Europe and Central Asia (EECA), it strives to give support and a strong international voice on rights and on health access to underserved populations in the EECA Region. Show less

  • Senior advocacy and grants advisor

    Dec 2022 - Apr 2024

  • Grants and Advocacy advisor

    Apr 2022 - Dec 2022
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  Fundacja-sexed

  Sept 2022 - now

  Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) and mental health expert

  As a Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) and mental health expert at Fundacja Sexed, my role involves offering expert guidance and crafting multimedia educational materials with a focus on SRHR and mental health. These materials aim to diminish social stigmas related to sexuality and substance use, encourage the adoption of harm reduction strategies, and promote personal responsibility for health.Main achievement: I reduced the stigma around chemical substance use, including during sexual contact, for 250,000 individuals, mainly from the younger generation.Sexed.pl is an initiative by Anja Rubik, a Polish supermodel and social activist. It runs an interdisciplinary platform providing young people, parents and adults with comprehensive, age-appropriate education on human rights, gender equality, relationships, and reproduction. Show less

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  AIDS Action Europe

  Jan 2023 - Oct 2024

  Członek Komitetu Sterującego

  Jako członek Komitetu Sterującego w AIDS Action Europe jestem odpowiedzialny za:• Globalną reprezentację: Interakcję z globalnymi i regionalnymi interesariuszami, reprezentowanie organizacji w ramach różnych zobowiązań o współracy.• Rozwój polityki: Wkład we wdrażanie rozwiązań w zakresie polityk powiązanych z HIV/AIDS .• Planowanie strategiczne: Uczestnictwo w planowaniu strategicznym, realizacji projektów i zarządzaniu programami.• Monitorowanie postępów: Ocenianie postępów programów poprzez analizę danych i raportów ewaluacyjnych.Główne osiągnięcia: Odgrywam ważną rolę w integracji perspektywy regionu Europy Środkowej i wpływu wojny na Ukrainie w strategiczny rozwój polityki organizacji, wspierając jej misję zwalczania epidemii HIV.AIDS Action Europe zrzesza organizacje społeczeństwa obywatelskiego w celu skuteczniejszego reagowania na epidemię HIV w Europie i Azji Środkowej. Sieć obejmuje ponad 400 organizacji pozarządowych, sieci krajowych i innych podmiotów zajmujących się AIDS, a także aktywistów i grupy reprezentujące osoby żyjące z HIV z 53 krajów Regionu Europejskiego WHO. Show less

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  Gedeon Medica

  Jul 2023 - Aug 2023

  Clinical internship in 24/7 therapeutic ward

  During my internship, I was responsible for:• Observing diagnostic and therapeutic procedures in a 24/7 therapeutic ward for patients with eating, anxiety, personality and neurodevelopmental disorders (including autism spectrum, ADHD spectrum, and sensory disorders).• Co-facilitating therapeutic sessions on eating and body image disorders and monitoring patients' therapy goals based on elements of CBT and integrative therapy.• Participating in interdisciplinary clinical consultation team.Duration: 120 hours (1 month) Show less

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  AIDS Healthcare Foundation

  Jun 2024 - now

  Prevention, Testing and Linkage Manager Europe

  As Prevention, Testing & Linkage Manager for Europe, I oversee implementing, coordinating, and enhancing a multi-country prevention and rapid testing program, ensuring alignment with AHF's standards. My role involves:• Program implementation: Ensuring the smooth implementation of the program covering sexual education, mental health promotion, and HIV rapid testing components; performing ongoing monitoring and evaluation to verify its compliance with set targets and quality standards.• Case management: Developing, implementing, and evaluating case management procedures, with an emphasis on linkage to care.• Knowledge dissemination and coaching: Promoting consistency in program delivery standards through horizontal learning and overseeing the implementation of HIV testing and SRHR educational models.• Strategic Planning: Active involvement in strategic planning and budgeting, enhancing strategic thinking.• Education: Supporting educational events on sexual education, mental health promotion, and HIV rapid testing for professional audiences, staff, and program target populations.AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) is a global nonprofit delivering cutting-edge medicine and advocacy to over 1 million individuals in 45 countries, including 9 in Europe. It is the world's largest HIV/AIDS medical care provider, extending its reach in healthcare and policy influence to save lives. Show less